HR0750 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0750 LRB094 15211 DRH 50395 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois are pleased to congratulate Lawrence "Slats" Trower of Arthur, Illinois on winning the 2005 Humanitarian Award of the Association of Commerce of Arthur; and

WHEREAS, Lawrence Trower was born and raised in Arthur; he graduated from high school in Arthur on May 20, 1944; he left for 10 weeks of Marine Corps boot camp in San Diego, California on June 9, 1944; he underwent advanced training at Camp Pendleton in California in August 1944; he was shipped overseas to Maui, Hawaii in November 1944 to serve with the 4th Marine Division; he boarded ship on January 1, 1945 for Iwo Jima; he landed on the third morning, was fed steak and eggs for breakfast, and then went to war; he was wounded by a shell on March 4, 1945 and received the Purple Heart; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Trower married C. Jane Craig on May 20, 1948; they have been married for 57 years; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Trower is a charter member of the Arthur Lions Club; he achieved 32nd Degree Masonry in Danville, Illinois; he was named Lion of the Year for District 1E by the Arthur Lions Club in 1987; he received the International President's Award from the Arthur Lions Club in 1987; he was named Meldin Jones Fellow by Lions Club International for dedicated humanitarian services in 1989; he received a plaque from the American Legion as the Most Outstanding Fundraiser in 1989 for selling raffle tickets and raising money; he received the State Master Gardener Excellence Award and the Outstanding Master Gardener Award from the University of Illinois in 2003; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Trower is an elder in the Vine Street Christian Church; he has been a member of the Masonic Lodge for 50 years and a member of the American Legion for 57 years; he has raised tomatoes for the VFW for 10 years and has used the money for scholarships to students in Arthur and Lovington; one scholarship has been given to Arthur schools every year for 10 years and three scholarships to Lovington; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Trower has worked with the 5th and 6th grade students in Arthur; they start in February and have their own lab and grow their own plants; they plant potatoes, corn, tomatoes, etc., and they help take care of them in the summer; every Wednesday the teacher and some of the kids show up and help keep the lab clean; they also harvest the vegetables; Lawrence gives produce to the food banks and vegetables to the Tabernacle Church in Sullivan to help 27 families; he loves working with the community and the students; and

WHEREAS, Lawrence "Slats" and Jane Trower have 3 daughters, Cheryl Ann (Trower) Jackson (married to Daniel Jackson), Connie Jo (Trower) Armer (married to John S. Armer), and Cindy Renee (Trower) Helton (married to Steve Helton); Mr. and Mrs. Trower have 6 grandchildren: Tamara Sowers, Daniel Scott Jackson, Keri Elizabeth Jackson, Matthew Lawrence Jackson, Jared John Armer, and Jodi Michelle Herbord; Mr. and Mrs. Trower have 13 great grandchildren: Cherode Danielle Sowers, Drew Jeffrey Hopper, Chase Heston Jackson, Drake Anthony Jackson, Lainey Elizabeth Jackson, Ridge Daniel Jackson, Cole Matthew Jackson, Elizabeth Jo Herbord, Judd Michael Sowers, Riley Grace Jackson, Lexi Elizabeth Sowers, Claire Evelyn Jackson, and Wyatt Paul Jackson; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Lawrence "Slats" Trower on winning the 2005 Humanitarian Award of the Association of Commerce of Arthur, Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Lawrence Trower as an expression of our respect and esteem.